Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/51841
VINEYARD Department of Viticulture and Enol- ogy. Originally, grape Kc was based on trellis type, vine spacing and row orientation. Williams published Kc tables based on these factors and seasonal growing degree-days that growers could use as model Kc fac- tors for making calculations. By definition, Kc value repre- sents the relative water use of a crop that is fully supplied with water. To reduce error and discrep- ancies, it is best to take measure- ments when the leaf canopy has reached full size and vine water stress is minimal. Kc is then used with a reference evapotranspiration (ET) figure, obtained from the near- est California Irrigation Manage- ment Information System (CIMIS) weather station, or a vineyard weather station, to calculate vine water use. "My inspiration for the Paso Panel was to be able to get num- bers that are more specific to indi- vidual vineyard sites, and fine-tune the ability to measure Kc," Battany explained. "The prior methods to measure it were labor-intensive." In addition to irrigation applica- tions, Battany said the Paso Panel can be used to help assess other factors related to canopy growth. In 2006, he used the panel as a non-destructive method to esti- mate relative vegetative growth differences in a trial evaluating eight different rootstocks with pinot noir. He noted, "This is less work than collecting vine prunings and taking pruning weights at the end of the season (the standard method of evaluating seasonal vine growth)." The Paso Panel can also be used to measure the rate of can- opy growth during a season, and canopy sizes for comparisons between seasons, thus serving as a tool to evaluate the effects of fertilization treatments and nutri- Mark Battany takes a measurement at the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. Photo: Mark Battany Get the best out of your grapes. The Europress exclusively by Euro-Machines Euro-Machines offers high-quality equipment based on your vision to bring out the best of every vine, with our proven history in the careful handling of grapes and together our love of good wine. Europress 6-320 hl Europress-Cool with cooling jacket Euroselect berry selector Destemmer crushers Sorting equipment Conveyor belts Vibrating tables Custom-made tanks Pumps Braud grape harvesters and much more Euro-Machines, Inc. West: Fairfield, CA 94534 - Phone 707-864-5800 East: Culpeper, VA 22701 - Phone 540-825-5700 info@euromachinesusa.com www.euromachinesusa.com A subsidiary of Scharfenberger Company Germany 84 VINEYARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT JAN - FEB 2012 WWW.VWM-ONLINE.COM